SOUTHGATE, Ky. — If you drive along Alexandria Pike, you might notice a little something out of the ordinary. And it’s meant to put a smile on your face.
The little solitary tree on the Alexandria Pike median is spreading holiday cheer thanks to community members who have been decorating it with a Christmas star, lights, tinsel and ornaments.
Chuck Hazel started it. And he’s thrilled that others have joined in.
“It’s great for the community,” Hazel said. “It’s great for kids and anyone who sees it.
“Every year we drive by, we say, ‘Boy, we hope nobody cuts it down so we can have it next year.’ Thank goodness nobody has bothered it.”
Hazel tends to the little tree, even cutting the weeds around it to let it stand out amidst the gray rocks.
“It just looked lonely,” he said, explaining how the decorating started. “We said, ‘Boy, that would really look nice if somebody decorated that.’ ”
Hazel is getting help.
“Somebody come by and put some lights on it. It’s battery operated, so it dies. So Christmas Eve, I’m going to buy and put new batteries in it to light it up for Christmas eve and Christmas,” Hazel said.
The former police chief and Army veteran — he was commander of the John R. Little VFW Post 3186 — hopes to continue making this time of year merry and bright for drivers here.
“As long as I’m here, I’ll continue to decorate it and hopefully get the things that I want to help decorate it!” Hazel said. “Maybe once I’m gone, somebody else will take over and do it.”
